Piano refinsihing question

[Mark Potter]

Steve -
   
  To echo Al's remarks, using that much sanding sealer to fill the grain is usually not advisable.  It still doesn't explain why the lacquer "will not take", though.  Do you mean it is literally not adhering, or that it has significant transparency?  
   
  Am I correct in assuming that your sanding sealer was a 'lacquer' sanding sealer?  Hope so, or you may have compatibility issues.  In terms of your lacquer being too transparent, I would guess that either: 1) you have not thoroughly mixed the pigment in the lacquer, or 2) you are not applying a thick enough film.  I wouldn't worry about applying more than two coats of lacquer, and if you are planning on doing a formal rubbed finish you will certainly want a minimum of 4-5 coats, usually more, to minimize rub-thru.
   
  For future consideration, a better, more durable finish process would be to fill the grain with tinted grain filler.  Then apply a couple coats of black (or dark grey) primer compatible with your finish lacquer, then as many topcoats required to get the finish you desire.  If it's an 'off-the-gun' finish you will not need as much topcoat material as you would if you were doing a formal rubbed ebony finish.
   
  Hope this helps.
   
  Mark Potter

Steve Ellemberg <Steve at store.parks.ca.gov> wrote:
  I am trying to restore a piano that was originally wood grained and will
soon have an Ebony finish. I found a post on ptg.org that contained detailed
instructions with the following steps: multiple coats of sanding sealer,
followed by several coats of black lacquer and clear lacquer, sanding in
between each coat..

I already have the piano completely disassembled and have applied 3 coats of
sanding sealer, with more than 30 hours of sealing and sanding.

My instructions were to apply semi-gloss black lacquer (cut by 50% with
thinner) after the last coat of sanding sealer (after 400 grit sanding), but
when I tried this, the black lacquer would not take, it is almost completely
transparent. I tried to repeat the step with 100% lacquer and it is
still very transparent. It would take about 5 coats to cover it
completely and it is not recommended to use more than two coats thick.

Would you have any suggestions on how to make the lacquer cover the old
color of the piano.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Steve




-- 
Steven Ellemberg
Project Director, California State Parks Store
http://store.parks.ca.gov
PRIDE Industries
Creating jobs for people with disabilities
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